Thomas, who suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee three weeks ago, dressed for practice and participated in some individual drills, but he wasn't healthy enough to go full speed.

"I was hoping we'd get more from him today," said Saints Coach Sean Payton, who said Thomas didn't have to be "100 percent" healed in order to play, but he "has to be better than the other back that's potentially dressing in his place."

"The key is getting to where it's comfortable enough to where he's not just practicing and able to plant on it, but he's effectively able to do that better than another player," Payton said.

If Thomas can't play, most of his snaps will likely go to tailback Mike Bell, who would split time in the backfield with starter Reggie Bush, and second-year pro Lynell Hamilton likely would be activated as the third tailback.

Thomas, who was injured in the second preseason game at Houston, has been disappointed by his healing progress, even though three to four weeks is typical for sprained MCLs.

"I felt like I could have done more (Thursday), but I guess they're trying not to take any chances, " Thomas said.

Two other Saints were held out of practice Thursday and won't play Sunday -- left tackle Jammal Brown (hernia, hip) and tight end Darnell Dinkins (ankle).

'COACH' YOUNG: Knee injuries ended former Saints defensive tackle Brian Young's playing career after nine seasons, but he hasn't strayed too far from the field. He's spending this year with the Saints as a coaching intern of sorts -- an unpaid assistant who's learning what the profession is all about.

"It's funny, because the whole time I played, I always said I would never want to do it, " Young said of coaching. "But once I got away from it for a month or two and realized it was over, I was like, 'Whoa. What do you do now? This has been a part of my life forever.'"

Young, 32, has been working with the defensive tackles in practice, attending meetings and breaking down game tape, among other assignments. He said he goes home earlier than the full-time coaches, though.

"I definitely realize there's a lot more to it than I ever thought. Those guys work a freakin' lot of hours," Young said. "It's amazing how much time and effort goes into the game plans that we get. (As a player), you really don't have an idea of how much work goes into it."

"He's a guy who was always a real smart student of the game, and I think his presence in the locker room is important," Payton said.

Young said it's been a great experience so far, but he admits it's hard to be so close to the game, yet so far away.

"I tell you what, the first preseason game when we walked out the tunnel, I got a little emotional," Young said. "Especially when they played the national anthem, because that's always been 'Go time.' So it's been hard. But I've just had to learn that it is what it is, my knee's jacked up, and there's nothing I can do about it. Getting mad and upset about it is not going to change that fact, so it's time to take the next step."

KREWE OF PAYTON: Payton's Play It Forward Foundation announced that it will debut a float in the Orpheus Parade on Feb. 15, with seats available for a charitable contribution of $4,000. The ticket also includes a kickoff party, costumes, a pre-parade dinner and a post-parade party. For more information, contact Karen Hegner at 214.529.6681 or khegner7894@sbcglobal.net.

. . . . . . .

Mike Triplett can be reached at mtriplett@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3405.